High capacity gun battery system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a high capacity gun battery system configured to support a plurality of semi-automatic guns and alternately and continuously actuate the triggers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a high capacity gun batter system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a high capacity gun battery system that is configured to support a plurality of semi-automatic guns and alternately and continuously actuate the triggers.

BACKGROUND

High capacity gun batteries have been known in the art since the use of Gatling guns, extending back well over a century. In a Gatling gun, the user rotates a handle which then causes bullets to be fired out of a plurality of rifle bores. The Gatling gun was the original high-capacity firearm and typically included 6 or more barrels to fire a large number of rounds in a short amount of time.

Efforts have also been made to retrofit a plurality of guns into a gun battery system, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 525,537; 573,353; 802,123; 1,444,768; and 2,752,825.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a high capacity gun battery system. In one embodiment, the gun battery system comprises: a housing configured to support a plurality of semi-automatic guns having triggers; a trigger actuation system comprising: a crank; a camshaft operably connected to the crank and having a plurality of offset cams having one or more cam lobes, wherein the cam lobes of each of the plurality of cams is offset relative to the cam lobes of the other cams; and a plurality of trigger actuator levers corresponding to each of the one or more cams, wherein the trigger actuator levers are configured to alternately actuate the triggers of the plurality of guns when actuated by the offset cams.

In another embodiment, the housing of the high capacity gun battery is configured to support two guns. In another embodiment, the housing is configured to support a right ordnance ejecting gun and a left ordnance ejecting gun.

In another embodiment, the trigger actuator levers are configured to alternately actuate the triggers of the plurality of gun when actuated by rotation of the offset cams.

In another embodiment, each cam comprises a plurality of cam lobes. In yet another embodiment, each cam comprises two cam lobes positioned opposite each other. In still another embodiment, the cam lobes of one of the two cams is out of phase relative to the other cam. In yet another embodiment, the cam lobes of each of the two cams are out of phase by 90 degrees.

In another embodiment, the housing comprises a first channel for receiving a first gun and a second channel for receiving a second gun.

In another embodiment, the plurality of trigger actuator levers further comprise a position adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the proximity of the trigger actuator levers relative to the trigger.

In another embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustable set screw.

In another embodiment, the housing comprises an attachment mechanism configured to connect to and support a gun via a gun accessory rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a crank housing.

FIG. 2 shows a lower housing and crank assembly.

FIG. 3 shows an upper housing for supporting two guns (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the lower housing and crank assembly.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the lower housing and crank assembly.

FIG. 6 shows a crank shaft.

FIG. 7 shows a cam.

FIG. 8 shows a trigger actuator lever.

FIG. 9 shows a camshaft, cam and trigger actuator lever.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a first gun in the housing, with a cam lobe in a trigger non-actuating position.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a second gun in the housing, with a cam lobe in a trigger actuating position.

It is appreciated that not all aspects and structures of the present invention are visible in a single drawing, and as such multiple views of the invention are presented so as to clearly show the structures of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the present invention will be given numeral designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the pending claims. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the components of the individual embodiments discussed may be selectively combined in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that various embodiments will accomplish different objects of the invention, and that some embodiments falling within the scope of the invention may not accomplish all of the advantages or objects which other embodiments may achieve.

The present invention relates to a high capacity gun battery system comprising a plurality of semi-automatic guns combined together and configured to shoot separately and continuously.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a high capacity gun battery comprising a housing configured to support a plurality of semi-automatic guns having triggers. Any type of semi-automatic gun may be used, such as an AR-15, to for the high capacity gun battery system of the present invention. The housing may be configured in to fit the particular dimensions of a particular semi-automatic gun, or may be configured to support different types and sizes of guns, for example, by using adaptor structures specific to a particular type or size of gun.

The housing of the high capacity gun battery of the present invention also encompasses a trigger actuation system that is designed to actuate the triggers of the guns within the housing. In one embodiment, the trigger actuation system comprises a crank or crank handle that is operably connected to a camshaft having a plurality of cams. As used herein the term “operably connected” means that the crank handle is mechanically connected to and drives rotation of the camshaft. For example, the crank or crank handle may be directed connected to the camshaft. Alternatively, the crank or crank handle may be connected to a drive shaft that is connected to the camshaft by means of gears or other mechanical connections configured to cause rotation of the camshaft when the crank or crank handle is rotated. Any suitable direct or mechanical connection know to those skilled in the art is contemplated herein and may be utilized in order to drive the rotation of the camshaft.

On the camshaft is mounted a plurality of offset cams having one or more cam lobes. Each of the plurality of cams corresponds to a specific individual gun that is supported in the housing. As the camshaft and cams rotate, the lobes of the cams cause a trigger actuator lever to move, which in turn causes the gun trigger to move and fire the gun.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the cams have one or more cam lobes. The cams have an eccentric profile in which the distance from the axis of rotation to the outside edge of the cam varies. The term “lobe” is used herein to refer to those portions of the cam having the greater distance from the axis of rotation, which cause greater linear movement of cam followers, such as the trigger actuator levers that cause impact the gun trigger and cause the gun to fire.

In one particular embodiment, the high capacity gun battery system of the present invention includes a plurality of cams, each of which engages a trigger actuator lever associated with a single gun. When a cam lobe engages and actuates a trigger actuator lever, the trigger actuator lever in turn engages a gun trigger and causes the gun to fire.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the offset cams have a plurality of cam lobes. For example, the offset cams may have two cam lobes positioned on opposite sides of the cam, wherein each rotation of the cam actuates a trigger actuator lever two times. Alternatively, it is also possible to three cam lobes on each cam, wherein each rotation of the cam actuates a trigger actuator lever three times. Similarly, it is possible to have four or more cam lobes on each cam. It is understood, of course, that the offset cams may also have a single cam lobe, such that each revolution causes a single actuation of the trigger actuator lever. The advantage of having a plurality of cam lobes is that each revolution of the crankshaft will actuate the firing of a gun a plurality of times. A cam having two cam lobes, for example, will actuate the firing of a single gun twice with each revolution. The particular number of cam lobes may be selected in accordance with the particular tolerances and timing required for a single gun to fire and prepare for a second firing.

As used herein, the term “offset” means that each of the plurality of cams on the camshaft is positioned such that the cam lobes of each of the plurality of cams is out of phase relative to the cam lobes of the other cams. Thus, the offset cams will actuate the trigger actuator levers each at a separate time, which will cause each of the guns supported in the housing to fire at a separate time.

In one particular embodiment, the high capacity gun battery of the present invention comprises a housing configured to support two semi-automatic guns. The trigger actuation system comprises a hand crank that is directly connected to a camshaft having two cams. Each cam has two cam lobes positioned 180 degrees opposite each other, and the two cams are offset and positioned such that the cam lobes of the first cam are 90 degrees out of phase with the cam lobes of the second cam. Thus, each revolution of the hand crank causes the guns to fire twice alternately.

In another aspect, the present invention further provides a position adjustment mechanism for the trigger actuator lever to allow fine adjustment of the position of the trigger actuator lever relative to a gun trigger. For example, the position adjustment mechanism may comprise an adjustable set screw positioned on the trigger actuator lever. In one embodiment, the adjustable set screw may be positioned on the trigger actuator lever on the end that engages the gun trigger. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the adjustable set screw may be positioned on the trigger actuator lever on the end that engages the cam.

In another aspect, the present invention provides that the housing is configured to support a right ordnance ejecting gun and a left ordnance ejecting gun. For example, the right channel in the housing is configured to accommodate a right ordnance ejecting gun, wherein the housing has an opening that allows spent gun shells to be ejected to the right, while the left channel in the housing is configured to accommodate a left ordnance ejecting gun, wherein the housing has an opening that allows spent gun shells to be ejected to the left.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a housing having an attachment mechanism configured to connect to and support a gun via a gun accessory rail. Gun accessory rails are designed for attachment of various accessories at various different positions. Thus, the gun accessory rail may be advantageously used as an attachment point to for a clamp or other mechanism to removably secure the gun to the housing.

One particular embodiment of the high capacity gun battery system is illustrated in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows one particular embodiment of a high capacity gun battery system. The housing 10 is configured to support a plurality of semi-automatic guns. FIG. 1 shows the housing 10, which is configured to specifically support two guns (shown disposed in the housing in FIGS. 11 and 12). The housing 10 has a first channel 14 for receiving a first gun, and a second channel 18 for receiving a second gun. The housing also include holes 19 a and 19 b into which gun barrels are inserted and supported. The housing also includes a clamp for securing the guns within the housing and preventing them from moving or loosening within the gun channels. The clamp may, for example, be a housing cover, flexible straps that can be tightened by means of a buckle or ratcheting mechanism, screw type clamps, side screws through the housing that fix the gun in place, or any other suitable means capable of securing the guns in the housing. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing 11 comprises two separate parts, lower housing 11 and upper housing 13, which are connected together. Lower housing 11 houses the crank assembly. Upper housing 13 supports two guns. The upper housing and lower housing may be releasably connected to each other. FIG. 13 shows two guns being held in place by a cap 48 which engages the accessory rail 52 along the top of the rifles 54, so as to secure the guns in the housing. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 may also include two windows 50 a and 50 b to allow for discharge of spent casings. In some embodiments, a left-handed gun or other rifle is used in channel 18, while a right-handed gun is used in channel 14, thereby allowing discharge from opposing sides.

FIG. 2 shows the lower housing 11 for housing a crank assembly. The lower housing 11 is shown supporting a trigger actuation system comprising a crank handle 20, connected to a crank arm 21, which is then connected to a camshaft 22. The camshaft may be supported in the housing by any suitable support mechanism, such as, for example, holes within the housing through which the camshaft extends and is secured so that it does not slip out of the holes, brackets or clamps on the front end of the housing, etc. FIG. 2 shows one particular embodiment in which the camshaft 22 extends through a first hole 11 a through one side of the housing 11 to the opposite side of the housing 11 into a second hole 11 b. Rotation of the handle causes the crankshaft 22 to rotate, which causes rotation of the cams 24 a and 24 b (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12). As the cams 24 a and 24 b rotate, they engage the trigger actuator levers 26 a and 26 b, which in turn engage the trigger of the gun and cause the gun to fire a bullet.

FIG. 3 shows the upper housing 13, which is configured to house the guns (not shown). Specifically, upper housing 13 has two channels, channel 14 and channel 18, into which the guns are positioned.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the lower housing 11 and the crank assembly, comprising handle 20, crank arm 21, and crank shaft 22. Camshaft 22 extends through housing 11 and is supported by the side walls of the housing in holes 11 a and 11 b. Two cams 24 a and 24 b are positioned on and secured to the camshaft 22.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the lower housing 11, the crank handle 20, crank arm 21, and trigger actuator levers 34 a and 34 b. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the trigger actuator levers are out of phase, meaning that while one is positioned to actuate a gun trigger the other is positioned so as not to actuate a trigger. Thus, the guns are not triggered simultaneously, but rather at separate times.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a crank shaft 22. Camshaft 22 has two cylindrical ends 22 a and 22 b that are disposed in the holes 11 a and 11 b of the lower housing, and are thus able to freely rotate when the handle is rotated. Camshaft 22 also is shown with a middle portion configured to support two cams. Specifically, camshaft 22 has a first middle portion 23 a for supporting a first cam 24 a, and a second middle portion 23 b for supporting a second cam 24 b. The two cams 24 a and 24 b are positioned on and secured to the camshaft 22. The cams 24 may be secured to the camshaft by any suitable mechanical means. For example, the cams may comprise a shaft collar that is clamped on the camshaft 22. Alternatively, the cams comprise a set screw collar, wherein the set screws are screwed through the collar and engage with the camshaft to fix the cam to the camshaft. Alternatively, the camshaft and cam may be connected via a keyed camshaft that mates with a corresponding keyed cam (i.e., both the camshaft and cam may have a channel, which when matched a key can fit snugly between within both channels). For example, one of the camshaft and the cam may have a spline running along the axis of rotation of the camshaft, and the other of the camshaft and cam may have a channel through which the spline slides and prevents rotation of the cam relative to the camshaft. Alternatively, the cams may also have an eccentrically shaped lumen that matches an eccentrically shaped camshaft, such as an oval, star or polygon shaped cross-section, which corresponds with a matching cross-section of the camshaft. FIG. 7 shows one particular embodiment in which the camshaft 22 has an eccentric profile.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show one embodiment of an eccentrically a cam ring having an eccentrically shaped lumen that matches an eccentrically shaped camshaft. Specifically, camshaft 22 has a first middle portion and a second middle portion, each having an edge running along the axis of the shaft that is flatted, shown as flatted edge 25 a and flatted edge 25 b. Flatted edges 24 a and 25 b match the flatted portion 27 a inside lumen 27 of cam 24 a, as shown in FIG. 8. The flatted edge of the camshaft 22 and flatted portion 27 a of the lumen 27 in the cam 24 a prevents the cams from rotating relative to the camshaft. As shown in FIG. 8, cam 24 a is fixed to a bushing 29, having a screw hole 29 a into which a set screw may be screwed in order to secure the cam to the camshaft. A similar configuration is provided for cam 24 b, which is positioned at the second middle portion 23 a of camshaft 22. Alternatively, the camshaft may have only a single flatted edge that extends the length of the camshaft where the cams are positioned, while the flatted edges of the cams are positioned 90 degrees offset from each other (i.e., one cam may have a flatted edge positioned behind a cam lob, while the other cam has a flatted edge positioned between the cam lobes). Other suitable means for fixing the cams to the camshaft are known to those skilled in the art and are contemplated herein.

FIG. 9 shows one possible configuration of trigger actuator levers 26 a and 26 b). Trigger actuator levers 26 a and 26 b are disposed adjacent to cams 24 a and 24 b, respectively. FIG. 10 shows how the camshaft 22, cam 24 a and trigger actuator lever 26 a are positioned relative to each other.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show cross-sectional side views of two guns in a gun battery system at the same point in time of rotation of the camshaft. When cam shaft 22 is rotated, cams 24 a and 24 b rotate causing cams 24 a and 24 b to engage with trigger actuator levers 26 a and 26 b. FIG. 11 shows a view where the cam 24 a is positioned to actuate the gun trigger 40 a. FIG. 12 shows a view where the cam 24 b is positioned out of phase with FIG. 11 so as not to actuate the gun trigger 40 b. With reference specifically to FIG. 11, cam 24 a rotates, causing cam lobes 25 a and 25 a′ to engage surface 30 a of trigger actuator lever 26 a, which causes trigger actuator lever 26 a to pivot about a pivot pin 28 which extends through the housing 10. The opposite end 32 a of the trigger actuator lever 26 a then moves forward to engage trigger 40 a and fire the first gun. With reference specifically to FIG. 12, cam 24 b rotates, causing cam lobes 25 b and 25 b′ to disengage surface 30 b, which causes trigger actuator lever 26 b to pivot in the opposite direction, causing the opposite end 32 b of the trigger actuator lever 26 b to move backward to disengage with the trigger 40 b.

FIGS. 11 and 12 also show trigger actuator levers 26 a and 26 b with trigger ends 32 a and 32 b having set screw holes 34 a′ and 34 b′ through which set screws 34 a and 34 b may be screwed to engage with the trigger actuator lever shaft 28 so as to provide adjustable engagement for reaching the triggers 40 a and 40 b of a gun when the guns are disposed in the channels.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each cam has two cam lobes. Cam 24 a has two cam lobes 25 a and 25 a′ and cam 24 b has cam lobes 25 b and 25 b′. The two cam lobes on each cam are positioned on opposite sides of the cam in order to provide two trigger actuations per revolution of the camshaft. FIGS. 11 and 12 also show that cams 24 a and 24 b are oriented to be 90 degrees out of phase relative to each other, such that when the cam lobes of cam 24 a are extending horizontally, the cam lobes of cam 24 b are extending vertically. By positioning cams 24 a and 24 b so that their respective cam lobes are out of phase by 90 degrees, the system actuates the two guns to fire alternately at different times. As a user rotates the crank handle 20, the camshaft 22 turns which causes the offset cams 24 a and 24 b to turn. Each 360 degree revolution of the shaft 22 causes the cams 24 a and 24 b to engage the corresponding levers 26 a and 26 b twice, thereby causing that lever to engage the triggers 40 a and 40 b twice, resulting in the firing of two rounds from each gun. Thus, each rotation of the handle causes 4 rounds to be fired. Because the offset cams are out of phase relative to each other, the guns are fired alternately at different times, thus preventing the firing of both guns simultaneously, which may be a violation of firearms regulations.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications which can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications. 

1. A high capacity gun battery, comprising: a housing configured to support a plurality of semi-automatic guns having triggers; a trigger actuation system comprising: a crank; a camshaft operably connected to the crank and having a plurality of offset cams having one or more cam lobes, wherein the cam lobes of each of the plurality of cams is offset relative to the cam lobes of the other cams; and a plurality of trigger actuator levers corresponding to each of the one or more cams, wherein the trigger actuator levers are configured to alternately actuate the triggers of the plurality of guns when actuated by the offset cams.
 2. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to support two guns.
 3. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to support a right ordnance ejecting gun and a left ordnance ejecting gun.
 4. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 1, wherein the trigger actuator levers are configured to alternately actuate the triggers of the plurality of gun when actuated by rotation of the offset cams.
 5. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 1, wherein each cam comprises a plurality of cam lobes.
 6. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 5, wherein each cam comprises two cam lobes positioned opposite each other.
 7. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 6, wherein the cam lobes of each of the two cams is out of phase relative to the other cam.
 8. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 7, wherein the cam lobes of each of the two cams is out of phase by 90 degrees.
 9. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first channel for receiving a first gun and a second channel for receiving a second gun.
 10. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of trigger actuator levers further comprise a position adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the proximity of the trigger actuator levers relative to the trigger.
 11. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 10, wherein the position adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustable set screw.
 12. The high capacity gun battery according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an attachment mechanism configured to connect to and support a gun via a gun accessory rail. 